Panel mounting means for trimmer potentiometers and the like



Feb. 15, 1966 OOT 3,235,208

R. C. R PANEL MOUNTING MEANS FOR TRIMMER POTENTIOMETERS AND THE LIKEFiled July 11, 1965 INVENTOR. ,eAwo/vflaeoor United States Patent3,235,208 PANEL MOUNTING MEANS FGR TRIMMER POTENTIOMETERE AND THE LIKERaymond C. Root, Columbus, Nehru, assignor to Dale Electronics, Inc.,Columbus, Nebr. Filed July 11, 1963, Ser. No. 294,320 Claims. (Cl.24827) The linear-type otentiometers are characteristically equippedwith an elongated leadscrew which has a head portion that extendsthrough one end of the potentiometer housing. The resistance in thecircuit in which the potentiometer is connected is adjusted in typicalfashion by rotating the leadscrew head to effect the actuation of themovable parts within the potentiometer housing. It is often desirable tomount such a potentiometer adjacent an access opening in a panel boardwherein the potentiometer is located on one side of the board andoperation of the leadscrew head is effected through the access openingfrom the other side of the board. Various devices have been designed toeffect the connection of such a potentiometer to a panel board. Theproblems encountered in so mounting a potentiometer involve variationsin the thickness of the panel boards and the positive control overmovement of the leadscrew element.

Therefore, a principal object of this invention is to provide a panelmounting means for trimmer potentiometers and the like which is easilyadaptable to all conventional linear-type potentiometers.

A further object of this invention is to provide a panel mounting meansfor trimmer potentiometers and the like which is easily adapted topanels of different thicknesses.

A still object of this invention is to provide a panel mounting meansfor trimmer otentiometers and the like which is comprised of a minimumnumber of elements to minimize the cost of production and to minimizethe possibility of malfunction.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a panel mountingmeans for trimmer potentiometers and the like which can be installed andoperated with a minimum number of conventional tools.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

This invention consists in the construction, arrangements, andcombination, of the various parts of the device, whereby the objectscontemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth,specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of the device of this invention showingalternate forms of spring elements;

FIGURE 2 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the assembledcomponents of this invention;

FIGURE '3 is a view of the assembled components of this invention asmounted on a panel board and as viewed from the right of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of an alternate spring element that isused in the device of this invention.

The numeral 10 generally designates a trimmer potentiometer housinghaving a top 12, a bottom 14, sides 16,

a forward end portion 18 and a rearward end portion 20. Mounting holes21 extend through the housing for a purpose to be described hereafter.The resistance afforded by the potentiometer is controlled through aconventional leadscrew 22 which is rotatably mounted within the housingand which has a head portion 23 extending outwardly from the housingthrough the forward end portion 18. A conventional slot 24 appears inthe outer face of the leadscrew head 23.

A U-shaped mounting bracket 26 of plastic or other desirable materialincludes parallel sides 28 and 30 which have aligned mounting holestherein which are adapted to register with the mounting holes 21 inpotentiometer housing 10 for a purpose to be described hereafter. Theend portion 32 of the mounting bracket 26 connects one end of the twoparallel sides 28 and 30.

The internal shape of the U-shaped mounting bracket 26 is such that itcan receive the exterior shape of the potentiometer housing 10. When thepotentiometer housing is inserted within the side and end portions ofthe mounting bracket 26, rivets 33 can be inserted through theregistering holes 21 and 31 in the housing and bracket, respectively, toeffect the rigid connection between the housing and the bracket.

The threaded bore 34 appears on the longitudinal axis of mountingbracket 26 and extends through the end portion 32 thereof. A hollowexternally threaded stud shaft 36 with a hexagonally-shaped nut or headportion 38 on its outer end is adapted to be threadably received withinthe threaded bore 34 of bracket 26. A washer 39 is adapted to encirclethe stud shaft 36 and is normally positioned adjacent the inner face ofthe head portion thereof. A center bore 40 extends through the studshaft 36 and a shoulder 42 is tapered outwardly and towards the centerof the bore 40 as shown in FIGURE 2. A cylindrical adapter 44 isrotatably mounted within the bore 46 of stud shaft 36 and has a taperedshoulder 46 which is complementary in shape to the tapered shoulder 42at the end of the stud shaft. As shown in FIGURE 2, the tapered shoulder46 of adapter 44 is normally in engagement with the tapered shoulder 42of stud shaft 36. Slots 48 and 50 appear in opposite ends of the adapter44. A coil spring 52 has its end portions terminating in parallel arms54 and 56. An alternate form of spring 58 is comprised of a plurality ofcorrugations 59. The opposite ends of corrugated spring 58 terminate inparallel lip portions 60 and 62. The arm 54 of coil spring 52 is adaptedfor reception in the slot 50 of adapter 44 and the arm 56 of the coilspring is adapted for reception in the slot 24 of the leadscrew head 23.Similarly, the lip portion 60 of corrugated spring 58 is adapted forreception in the slot 50 of adapter 44, and the lip portion 62 isadapted for reception within the slot 24 of the leadscrew head 23. Aconventional panel board 64 is shown in phantom in each of the threefigures of the drawing.

The normal operation of the device of this invention is as follows: Thepotentiometer housing is mounted within the mounting bracket 26 in themanner described. The Washer 39 is placed in an embracing position onstud shaft 36 and the adapter element 44 is deposited within the centerbore 40 of the stud shaft to achieve the position described above andshown in FIGURE 2. One of the other of springs 52 or 58 are placed inengagement with the slot 50 of the adapter 44 in the manner described.The threaded end of the stud shaft 36 is then inserted through theaccess opening 66 in the panel board 64 and is threadedly receivedwithin the threaded bore 34 in the mounting bracket 26. The elongatedcondition of the springs 52 or 58 normally permits the arms 56 or thelip 62 to extend beyond the threaded end of the stud shaft 36. Thisstructure facilitates the placing of the arm 56 (or the lip portion 62)in the slot 24 of the leadscrew head 23. The continued rotation of thestud shaft 36 into the bore 34 of the mounting bracket can be effectedby placing a tool on the head 38 of the stud shaft. The continuedtightening of the stud shaft in this manner will cause the spring 52 (orthe spring 58) to become compressed as shown in FIGURE 2. Because thecylindrical adapter element 44 is permitted to rotate within the bore 40of the stud shaft, the position of the stud shaft does not effect anyrotation of the adapter element 44 or the leadscrew 22. The stud shaft36 is tighted until the washer 39 and head 38 of the stud shaft act withthe mounting bracket to rigidly embrace the panel board 64.

The operation of the leadscrew 22 is thereupon effected by inserting atool into the slot 43 of adapter element 44 and rotating the adapterelement to the degree desired. It is therefore seen that this device isadaptable to panel boards of varying thicknesses, and yet provideseffective control of the leadscrew element.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of my panelmounting means for trimmer potentiometers and the like without departingfrom the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intentionto cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure of use ofmechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within theirscope.

I claim:

1. In a panel mounting means for trimmer potentiometers and the like,

a housing having an exterior end portion,

a leadscrew rotatably mounted in said housing,

a head portion on said leadscrew communicating with the exterior endportion of said housing,

a mounting bracket secured to said housing and having an end portionadjacent the end portion of said housing,

a bore in the end portion of said mounting bracket and in communicationwith the head portion of said leadscrew,

a stud shaft longitudinally movably secured in said bore and extendingoutwardly and away from said housing,

a panel board engaging surface on the outer end of said stud shaft,

a bore in said stud shaft,

an adapter element rotatably mounted in the bore of said stud shaft,

and a spring means operatively connecting said adapter element with thehead portion of said leadscrew.

2. In a panel mounting means for trimmer potentiometers and the like,

a housing having an exterior end portion,

a leadscrew rotatably mounted in said housing,

a head portion on said leadscrew communicating with the exterior endportion of said housing,

a mounting bracket secured to said housing and having an end portionadjacent the end portion of said housing,

a bore in the end portion of said mounting bracket and in communicationwith the head portion of said leadscrew,

a stud shaft longtiudinally movably secured in said bore and extendingoutwardly and away from said housing,

a panel board engaging surface on the outer end of said stud shaft,

and spring means operatively connecting said stud shaft to the headportion of said leadscrew.

3. In a panel mounting means for trimmer potentiometers and the like,

a housing having an exterior end portion,

a leadscrew rotatably mounted in said housing,

a head portion on said leadscrew communicating with the exterior endportion of said housing,

a mounting bracket secured to said housing and having an end portionadjacent the end portion of said housing, 1

a bore in the end portion of said mounting bracket and in communicationwith the head portion of said leadscrew,

a stud shaft threadably secured in said bore and eX- tending outwardlyand away from said housing,

a panel board engaging surface on the outer end of said stud shaft,

a bore in said stud shaft,

an adapter element rotatably mounted in the bore of said stud shaft,

and a spring means operatively connecting said adapter element with thehead portion of said leadscrew.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said panel board engaging surface isa nut element.

5. The structure of claim 3 wherein said panel board engaging surface isa nut element of integral construction with said stud shaft.

6. The structure of claim 3 wherein said spring means is a corrugatedspring having end arm portions in engagement with slots in said adapterelement and the head portion of said leadscrew.

7. The structure of claim 3 wherein said spring means is a coil springhaving end arm portions in engagement with slots in said adapter elementand the head portion of said leadscrew.

8. The structure of claim 3 wherein said spring means is a corrugatedspring having parallel end arm portions in engagement with slots in saidadapter element and the head portion of said leadscrew.

9. The structure of claim 3 wherein a shoulder element in the bore ofsaid stud shaft limits the outward movement of said adapter element.

10. In combination,

a housing having an exterior end portion,

a leadscrew rotatably mounted in said housing,

a head portion on said leadscrew communicating with the exterior endportion of said housing,

a mounting bracket secured to said housing and having an end portionadjacent the end portion of said housing,

a bore in the end portion of said mounting bracket and in communicationwith the head portion of said leadscrew,

a stud shaft threadably secured in said bore and extending outwardly andaway from said housing,

a panel board having an access opening,

said stud shaft extending through the access opening in said panelboard,

a nut integral with said stud shaft and adapted to engage said panelboard and to tighten said panel board against the end of said mountingbracket when said stud shaft is threadably tightened into the bore ofsaid mounting bracket,

a bore in said stud shaft,

an adapter element rotatably mounted in the bore of said stud shaft,

and a spring means operatively connecting said adapter element with thehead portion of said leadscrew.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,324,947 12/1919Wilson 251-294 2,643,528 6/1953 Hammarbach 6415 2,680,383 6/1954 Lahti74528 3,012,744 12/ 1961 Damon et a]. 248-27 3,150,635 9/1964 Root116-124 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

1. IN A PANEL MOUNTING MEANS FOR TRIMMER POTENTIOMETERS AND THE LIKE, AHOUSING HAVING AN EXTERIOR END PORTION, A LEADSCREW ROTATABLY MOUNTED INSAID HOUSING, A HEAD PORTION ON SAID LEADSCREW COMMUNICATING WITH THEEXTERIOR END PORTION OF SAID HOUSING, A MOUNTING BRACKET SECURED TO SAIDHOUSING AND HAVING AN END PORTION ADJACENT THE END PORTION OF SAIDHOUSING, A BORE IN THE END PORTION OF SAID MOUNTING BRACKET AND INCOMMUNICATION WITH THE HEAD PORTION OF SAID LEADSCREW, A STUD SHAFTLONGITUDINALLY MOVABLY SECURED IN SAID BORE AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY ANDAWAY FROM SAID HOUSING, A PANEL BOARD ENGAGING SURFACE ON THE OUTER ENDOF SAID STUD SHAFT, A BORE IN SAID STUD SHAFT, AN ADAPTED ELEMENTROTATABLY MOUNTED IN THE BORE OF SAID STUD SHAFT, AND A SPRING MEANSOPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID ADAPTER ELEMENT WITH THE HEAD PORTION OFSAID LEADSCREW.